Delusional disorder (psychotic disorders) Flashcards
What is a delusion?
A firmly held false belief which is held despite evidence to the contrary, and is not shared by those of the same culture
What are the three main criteria for a delusion?
Certainty - absolute belief in the delusion
Incorrigibility - the belief cannot be shaken
Impossibility - the delusion is without doubt untrue
What is a persecutory delusion?
When the affected person believes they are being persecuted
What is Othello syndrome?
Characterised by morbid jealousy - delusional belief that their partner is having an affair
Associated with alcohol dependence, risk of stalking / violence to partner
Can occur in the course of paranoid schizophreni
What is De Clerambault’s syndrome?
Delusional belief that another person of high social status / who is famous is in love with them - declared through secret signs
Erotomania
What is Capgras syndrome?
Belief that a relative / spouse has been replaced by an identical looking double / imposter
What is Fregoli’s syndrome?
Belief that different people are actually one person changing appearance / is in disguise
Often associated with persecutory delusions
Can be related to brain pathology
What is Cotard’s syndrome?
The delusion of being dead / dying / rotting / non-existent
Associated with depression
What is Ekborn’s syndrome?
Delusional parasitosis - risk of self harm by trying to rid themselves of this parasite
Often present to dermatologists and believe house is infected
What is Folie a deux?
Induced delusional disorder - the affected person’s delusion is shared by a dependent relation
